#901

Who was the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan during the 2024 General Elections?

(a) Sikandar Sultan Raja

(b) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim

(c) Sardar Muhammad Raza

(d) Justice (R) Nasim Sikandar

Explanation: Sikandar Sultan Raja was appointed as the CEC in January 2020. He oversaw the 2024 General Elections, which were notable for the use of the 2023 Digital Census data for delimitation and the significant challenges regarding the allocation of symbols and election delays.

#902

What is the security deposit for a candidate contesting a seat in the National Assembly (as of the 2024 elections)?

(a) Rs. 10,000

(b) Rs. 20,000

(c) Rs. 30,000

(d) Rs. 50,000 (increased by recent amendments)

Explanation: The security deposit for the National Assembly was historically Rs. 30,000, though recent legal discussions and amendments have proposed increases. This deposit is forfeited if a candidate fails to secure a minimum percentage of the total votes polled in the constituency.

#903

Which census was used as the basis for the delimitation of constituencies for the 2024 General Elections?

(a) 1998 Census

(b) 2017 Census

(d) 2021 Interim Census

Explanation: After the Council of Common Interests (CCI) approved the results of the 7th Population and Housing Census (Digital Census) in August 2023, the ECP was constitutionally required to carry out a fresh delimitation of constituencies, which was a primary reason for the delay of elections to February 2024.

#904

In the 2024 General Elections, the majority of PTI candidates contested as 'Independents' because:

(a) The party voluntarily chose to do so

(b) The Supreme Court upheld the ECP's decision to revoke their 'Bat' symbol

(c) The party was formally banned

(d) Independent candidates do not have to pay tax

Explanation: Due to a legal dispute over intra-party elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) revoked PTI's election symbol (the Bat). This decision was upheld by the Supreme Court, forcing PTI-backed candidates to contest as independents with various individual symbols.

#905

In the 2024 elections, which party formed a coalition government at the center with the support of PPP and MQM-P?

(a) PTI

(b) PML-N

(c) JUI-F

(d) IPP

Explanation: After the 2024 elections resulted in a split mandate, the PML-N formed a coalition government with the PPP and other allies, with Shahbaz Sharif being elected as Prime Minister.

#906

Who is the current Emir of Jamaat-e-Islami (elected in 2024)?

(a) Siraj-ul-Haq

(b) Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman

(c) Liaquat Baloch

(d) Munawar Hasan

Explanation: Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman was elected as the Emir of Jamaat-e-Islami in April 2024, succeeding Siraj-ul-Haq following the party's performance in the general elections.

#907

The 'Sunni Ittehad Council' (SIC) became politically significant after the 2024 elections because:

(a) It won a majority on its own

(b) PTI-backed independent candidates joined it to claim reserved seats

(c) It formed the government in Punjab

(d) It was banned by the government

Explanation: Following the 2024 elections, the PTI-backed independent winners joined the Sunni Ittehad Council as a strategic move to preserve their group identity and apply for the allocation of reserved seats for women and minorities.

#908

In the 2024 elections, which party won the second-highest number of seats in the National Assembly after the independents?

(a) PPP

(b) PML-N

(c) MQM-P

(d) JUI-F

Explanation: The PML-N emerged as the single largest party in terms of party-affiliated members after the 2024 elections, followed by the PPP.

#909

The '26th Constitutional Amendment', passed in late 2024, notably changed the process for appointing:

(a) The President

(b) The Prime Minister

(c) The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP)

(d) The Army Chief

Explanation: The 26th Amendment (2024) introduced a significant shift in judicial politics. It replaced the seniority-based automatic promotion of the CJP with a parliamentary committee-led selection from the three most senior judges, and established constitutional benches.

#910

The 'Sunni Ittehad Council' (SIC) became a focal point of constitutional debate in 2024 regarding the allocation of:

(a) General Seats

(b) Reserved Seats for Women and Minorities

(c) Senate Seats

(d) Development Funds

Explanation: In 2024, after PTI-backed independent candidates joined the SIC, a major constitutional dispute arose regarding whether a party that did not win any general seats or contest the election could be allocated reserved seats. The Supreme Court eventually ruled in favor of PTI.

#911

In 2024, the '26th Amendment' was discussed as a way to potentially change the tenure or appointment process of the Chief Justice. How does this affect civil-military relations?

(a) It gives the military control over the High Courts

(b) It re-balances the 'Judiciary-Military-Executive' triangle by giving the Parliament a say in judicial appointments

(c) It makes the PM the Chief Justice

(d) It abolishes the Supreme Court

Explanation: By involving a parliamentary committee in the selection of the Chief Justice (replacing the seniority rule), the 26th Amendment shifted power from the 'judicial brotherhood' to the legislature. Analysts see this as a way for the 'hybrid' setup to ensure a more predictable and less activist judiciary.

#912

The '26th Constitutional Amendment' (2024) significantly impacted judicial activism by establishing:

(a) Military Courts

(b) Constitutional Benches

(c) Federal Shariat Courts

(d) Anti-Terrorism Courts

Explanation: The 26th Amendment introduced Constitutional Benches in the Supreme Court and High Courts to hear matters involving the interpretation of the Constitution. This was seen as a way to separate 'political' constitutional cases from regular litigation and reduce the individual influence of the CJP.

#913

The 'Reserved Seats Case' (2024) saw the Supreme Court intervene to grant seats to which political entity?

(a) PML-N

(b) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)

(c) PPP

(d) JUI-F

Explanation: In a major exercise of judicial power, the Supreme Court ruled in July 2024 that the PTI was a political party eligible for reserved seats for women and minorities, overturning the decisions of the ECP and the Peshawar High Court. This was seen as a significant check on the executive and the electoral body.

#914

In the 2024 'Cipher Case' and other political trials, the judiciary faced scrutiny regarding:

(a) The lack of judges

(b) Fair trial standards and the independence of the lower courts

(c) The cost of litigation

(d) The use of artificial intelligence

Explanation: During high-profile political trials in 2024, the judiciary was criticized for the speed and manner of trials in lower courts. High Courts intervened frequently to suspend sentences and order retrials, showcasing 'corrective' activism against perceived executive pressure.

#915

The 'Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Reference' (2024) resulted in the Supreme Court acknowledging that his trial was:

(a) Perfectly legal

(b) Unfair and lacked due process

(c) A military decision only

(d) Irrelevant to modern law

Explanation: In 2024, a larger bench led by Justice Qazi Faez Isa gave an opinion on a reference filed years ago, admitting that the 1979 trial and execution of Bhutto did not meet the standards of a 'fair trial.' This was a form of 'historical' judicial activism to correct past wrongs.

#916

Which High Court took a leading role in 2024 in protecting the rights of social media users and challenging 'firewall' implementation?

(a) Lahore High Court

(b) Islamabad High Court

(c) Sindh High Court

(d) Peshawar High Court

Explanation: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has been at the forefront of digital rights activism in 2024. Judges have repeatedly questioned the PTA and the government regarding internet shutdowns and surveillance, acting as a shield for digital freedoms.

#917

In 2024, six judges of the ______ High Court wrote a letter to the SJC alleging interference by intelligence agencies.

(a) Lahore

(b) Islamabad

(c) Sindh

(d) Peshawar

Explanation: The letter by six Islamabad High Court judges in March 2024 was a bombshell event. It led to a Suo Motu notice by the Supreme Court, highlighting the struggle for judicial independence against 'external' institutional pressures.

#918

In 2024 and 2025, a major point of contention between the government and digital rights activists was the implementation of what technology?

(a) 5G Networks

(b) National Firewall

(c) Digital Rupee

(d) E-Voting Machines

Explanation: The installation of a 'National Firewall' for content filtering and the resulting internet slowdowns became a massive controversy in 2024-2025. Civil society and IT experts argued that it would harm the freelance economy and restricted the right to information and free digital communication.

#919

Which social media platform remained blocked in Pakistan for over a year starting from February 2024?

(a) Facebook

(b) TikTok

(c) X (formerly Twitter)

(d) YouTube

Explanation: The platform X (Twitter) was restricted in Pakistan following the February 2024 general elections. The government cited national security concerns, while civil society challenged the ban in the Sindh and Islamabad High Courts as a violation of the right to expression.

#920

In 2024, the ECP and the government faced criticism from civil society for 'internet shutdowns' during which specific day?

(a) Eid-ul-Fitr

(b) The Election Day (Feb 8, 2024)

(c) Independence Day

(d) Resolution Day

Explanation: On February 8, 2024, mobile and internet services were shut down across Pakistan. The government cited security concerns, but civil society and international observers criticized the move for hindering voters' access to polling information and the transmission of results.

July 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions